COO Forum
COO Forum is a peer membership community for Chief Operating Officers and operations executives at small and mid-market companies, offering tiered subscriptions ($25/month to $6,600/year), confidential peer advisory sessions, and the Strategic AI COO Certificate Program. Founded in 2004.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersSaratoga, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What COO Forum does
COO Forum is a privately held, bootstrapped peer membership organization founded in 2004 in Silicon Valley by Chuck Orzechowski as the first peer community exclusively for Operations Executives and Chief Operating Officers. It sells three subscription tiers: an Associate membership at $25/month, a Peer membership at $3,600/year centered on confidential small group sessions and The COO Arena issue-sharing process, and an Executive membership at $6,600/year adding 1:1 coaching and the CEO-COO Alignment Index assessment. Membership is sold primarily through self-serve purchase on cooforum.net (Stripe billing), with marketing driven by founder-led LinkedIn content, a newsletter, a blog, event sponsorships, and word-of-mouth within the operations community. The active community is approximately 200 operations executives (as of 2023), drawn from SaaS/IT Services, Manufacturing, B2B/B2C/B2G Services, Private Equity, Banking/Fintech, and Nonprofit sectors, serving companies ranging from Series A through $500M+ in revenue.
The platform combines live virtual small group sessions, executive sessions, and workshops with proprietary content developed in-house and through partnerships with authors, researchers, and vendors. Distinctive IP includes The COO Arena™ hot-seat process, the CEO-COO Alignment Index™ assessment, the 2026 State of Operations report, and the newly launched Strategic AI COO Certificate Program—a 6-module live virtual certification delivered in partnership with AI Leadership, covering AI foundations, people and culture, AI maturity frameworks, operating models, governance/risk, and an innovation lab. The first cohort opened in November 2025 with modules running into early 2026, with standalone, full-program, and bundled pricing options ($1,500–$9,999). Distribution has expanded through sponsorship of the IndustryWeek Operations Leadership Summit 2026, and an ecosystem of recommended vendors is surfaced through a Partner Directory. The organization is headquartered in Northfield, OH, has 11–50 employees, has received no disclosed external funding, and is operated under the legal entity The Chief Operating Officer Business Forum.
COO Forum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- COO Forum
- Legal name
- The Chief Operating Officer Business Forum
- Website
- https://cooforum.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- COO Forum is a peer membership community for Chief Operating Officers and operations executives at small and mid-market companies, offering tiered subscriptions ($25/month to $6,600/year), confidential peer advisory sessions, and the Strategic AI COO Certificate Program. Founded in 2004.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
COO Forum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Peer Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910), Management Consulting Services (54161)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Meeting & Conference Planning & Coordination (HSACADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Customer/User Conferences & Client Advisory Boards (THAHAMAD)
Keywords
Where COO Forum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saratoga
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
COO Forum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Associate Membership: Monthly subscription membership at $25/month (auto-billed), providing access to exclusive special reports, monthly newsletters, member directory (coming soon), digital membership badge, and 10% discount on special events.
- Peer Membership: Annual subscription at $3,600/year providing confidential small group peer sessions led by trained moderators, monthly presenter series with world-class presentations, access to The COO Arena, exclusive COO resources, exclusive workshops, and special event pricing.
- Executive Membership: Premium annual membership at $6,600 including 1:1 monthly coaching sessions (60 minutes), CEO-COO Alignment Tool with full report and action plan, plus all Peer Member benefits.
- Strategic AI COO Certificate Program - Module 1 Only: Single module purchase option at $1,500 for members / $2,500 for non-members (early registration discount pricing). Covers The Strategic COO: AI Leadership Foundations module.
- Strategic AI COO Certificate Program - Full Program: Complete 6-module certificate program at $4,999 for members / $7,999 for non-members. Includes all six modules, capstone project grading, and digital certificate of completion.
- Strategic AI COO Certificate Program + Membership Bundle: Combined package at $9,999 including full certificate program and one-year COO Forum Membership, offering $1,600 savings versus purchasing separately.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Associate Member - Entry-level digital membership at $25/month |
| Subscription | Annual | Peer Member - Core membership with peer sessions at $3,600/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Executive Member - Premium membership with 1:1 coaching at $6,600/year |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Strategic AI COO - Module 1 Only (Early Registration) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Strategic AI COO - Complete Certificate Program |
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Strategic AI COO + COO Forum Membership Bundle |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
COO Forum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
COO Forum is a membership-based peer advisory platform that connects Chief Operating Officers and operations executives from small and mid-market companies for confidential small group sessions, workshops, executive sessions, and 1:1 coaching. It sells tiered annual and monthly subscriptions (Associate $25/mo, Peer $3,600/yr, Executive $6,600/yr) and also offers the Strategic AI COO Certificate Program, a 6-module live virtual cohort-based training delivered in partnership with AI Leadership.
Product overview
COO Forum is a leadership platform built around a peer community for Operations Executives and Chief Operating Officers from small and mid-market companies. The platform offers three membership tiers: Associate Member ($25/month) for basic access to reports and newsletters; Peer Member ($3,600/year) providing confidential peer sessions, workshops, and The COO Arena advisory panels; and Executive Member ($6,600/year) adding 1:1 coaching and CEO-COO alignment tools. The Strategic AI COO Certificate Program is a flagship 6-module live virtual program (delivered in partnership with AI Leadership) that teaches COOs to lead AI as a business transformation initiative. Additional offerings include a curated Books We Love reading list, a Partner Directory of recommended vendors, the COO Forum Blog, and sponsorship of the IndustryWeek Operations Leadership Summit 2026. The company has served operations leaders since 2004.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Strategic AI COO Certificate Program: A 6-week cohort-based certificate program designed for COOs and Operations Executives to develop AI leadership skills, delivered in partnership with AI Leadership.
- The COO Arena™
- CEO-COO Alignment Index™
- 2026 State Of Operations
Products and services
- Associate Member Subscription Monthly subscription at $25/month (auto-billed) for operations leaders of all levels who want new insights, access to exclusive special reports, monthly associate member newsletter, the upcoming member directory, a digital membership badge, and a 10% discount off special COO Forum Associate Member designated events.
- Peer Member Membership Annual membership at $3,600/year for COOs and operations executives working on near-term business goals, needing fresh approaches and tools, and preparing for future growth. Includes monthly confidential small group peer sessions led by trained moderators (Chairs), the monthly Presenter Series with world-class presenters, access to The COO Arena™ issue-sharing process, exclusive COO resources, exclusive workshops, special event pricing, exclusive special reports, the monthly peer member newsletter, and the peer member directory.
- Executive Member Membership Premium annual membership at $6,600/year for executives currently in the COO role or preparing for future growth who want individualized support and accelerated results. Includes all Peer Member benefits plus 60-minute 1:1 monthly coaching sessions focused on a personalized goal template and the CEO-COO Alignment Index™ Report with action plan.
- Strategic AI COO Certificate Program A 6-module live virtual cohort-based certificate program for COOs and Operations Executives that equips participants with frameworks and skills to lead AI as a business transformation initiative. Modules cover AI leadership foundations, people and culture, AI maturity frameworks, operating models, governance and risk, and an innovation lab. Available as Module 1 only ($1,500 members / $2,500 non-members early registration), full program ($4,999 members / $7,999 non-members), or bundle with one-year COO Forum Membership ($9,999, saving $1,600). Includes capstone project grading and a digital certificate of completion.
Companies that use COO Forum
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
COO Forum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
COO Forum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- IndustryWeekcoreCOO Forum is a proud sponsor of the IndustryWeek Operations Leadership Summit 2026. The event takes place October 20-22 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. COO Forum collaborates with IndustryWeek to support this event and connect their network of operations executives with manufacturing leaders focused on strengthening execution, navigating change, and driving operational excellence. Special COO Forum member perks are available for registrants.
- AI LeadershipcoreAI Leadership is a delivery partner for COO Forum's Strategic AI COO Certificate Program. Instructors Geoff Woods (Founder) and Jules Lambries (Head of Training) deliver program content including Module 1 on AI Leadership Foundations. Geoff Woods is described as #1 Bestselling Author of 'The AI-Driven Leader' and helps leaders harness AI to grow their business. AI Leadership brings over 20 years of experience in consumer products, peer group facilitation, and leadership team coaching.
- Partner Directory VendorsminorCOO Forum maintains a Recommended Vendor Directory featuring organizations and thought leaders with expertise in areas important to Operations Executives. Categories include Leadership Development, Change Management, Productivity, Coaching, HR Services, Culture, IT Services, Assessments, AI Tools & Strategy, Data Analytics, Communications, Keynote Presenters, EOS and Business Systems, and Exit Planning. Specific partners mentioned include C-Link Consulting for Exit Planning and Adam Kaplan as EOS Implementer.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
COO Forum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
COO Forum social profiles
Digital presenceCOO Forum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
COO Forum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
COO Forum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
COO Forum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about COO Forum
What does COO Forum do?
COO Forum is a membership-based peer advisory platform that connects Chief Operating Officers and operations executives from small and mid-market companies for confidential small group sessions, workshops, executive sessions, and 1:1 coaching. It sells tiered annual and monthly subscriptions (Associate $25/mo, Peer $3,600/yr, Executive $6,600/yr) and also offers the Strategic AI COO Certificate Program, a 6-module live virtual cohort-based training delivered in partnership with AI Leadership.
Is COO Forum a public or private company?
COO Forum is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was COO Forum founded?
COO Forum was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is COO Forum based?
COO Forum is headquartered in Saratoga, United States, in the North America region.
How does COO Forum make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Associate Membership is the primary driver. The others are peer Membership, executive Membership, strategic AI COO Certificate Program - Module 1 Only, strategic AI COO Certificate Program - Full Program and strategic AI COO Certificate Program + Membership Bundle.
Does COO Forum have an API?
No public API is recorded for COO Forum.
What industry is COO Forum in?
COO Forum's product category is Executive Peer Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACADAA, Meeting & Conference Planning & Coordination, with a secondary code of THAHAMAD, Customer/User Conferences & Client Advisory Boards. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.